soft vampire (Yandere Twilight)

[11]

The rabbit was nestled in my arms, warm and lively again. Its small body shifted occasionally, its soft fur brushing against my hands as it nuzzled closer to me. The dull weight that had pressed on my chest for days was finally lifting, replaced by a fragile, tentative happiness. My rabbit was better. It was safe, warm, and soft, just the way I needed it to be.

I cradled it carefully, mindful of its delicate body. My arms, now warm from the bath and no longer stiff with cold, seemed to soothe it. I liked how it felt there, as if it belonged like I belonged.

"Here," Esme's gentle voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up to see her holding out a cup. The faint scent of blood drifted to my nose, rich and metallic. My stomach twisted, a dull pang of hunger I couldn't ignore.

I adjusted my hold on the rabbit, making sure it was secure in one arm before reaching out with the other to take the cup. I didn't want to risk hurting it, not now, not ever. The rabbit stayed still, its little nose twitching as I brought the cup closer to my lips.

The blood was warm, but not in the way I was used to. When I drank fresh blood, it was hot, almost searing, pulsing with life as it rushed down my throat. This was different; it was just warm enough to feel comforting, but it lacked the fiery heat that came with fresh kills. The taste was off, too. Not bad, but unfamiliar.

"It's deer," Esme explained, her tone soft as always. "We stock extra for emergencies. I warmed it up for you. Cold blood doesn't taste the same."

I nodded slightly, bringing the cup back to my lips. She was right; it didn't taste the same. But I hadn't drunk in a while, not since Carlisle had brought me the fox days ago. I didn't like to kill animals, even though the hunger was always there, lurking just beneath the surface. I could feel it now, clawing at the edges of my restraint, but I ignored it as best as I could.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice quiet and hoarse. I didn't meet her gaze, focusing instead on drinking the rest of the blood. It wasn't as satisfying as fresh blood, but it eased the ache in my stomach and dulled the gnawing hunger enough that I could think more clearly.

I chugged the rest of the cup quickly, the warmth spreading through me in a strange but welcoming way. When it was empty, I held it awkwardly in my hand, unsure of what to do with it. Esme noticed immediately, stepping forward with her usual grace and taking it from me.

"You're welcome," she said, her golden eyes kind. She glanced at the rabbit in my arms, a faint smile curving her lips. "You're very gentle with it. It's clear how much you care."

I nodded, my gaze dropping to the little creature. "It's mine," I murmured, running my fingers lightly over its soft fur. "And it's fragile."

Esme's smile softened further. "That's a good way to think," she said. "Fragile things need careful hands. You're doing well."

Her words made something stir in my chest, a faint warmth that I didn't entirely understand. I didn't respond, but I held the rabbit a little closer, its tiny body fitting perfectly in the curve of my arms.

As the rabbit shifted in my arms, letting out a faint twitch of its nose, the warmth of the blood Esme had given me settled uneasily in my stomach. I glanced toward the door, my mind circling back to the woods, the familiar safety of the trees and open sky. This house, so clean and bright, was too strange, too full of things I didn't understand. I'd come here to save my rabbit, and now that it was better, it was time to leave.

I stood slowly, careful not to jostle the rabbit as I moved. Its tiny body was warm against my chest, its breathing steady and calm. "I... I think we'll go now," I said quietly, not meeting their eyes. My voice wavered slightly, uncertainty creeping in as I glanced toward the door.

Esme was the first to speak, her tone light but insistent. "Oh, but it's still raining outside," she said, standing gracefully from her chair. "It wouldn't be good for the rabbit to get cold again, would it?"

I froze mid-step, my gaze darting to the window. The rain was still coming down, though not as hard as before. I hesitated, glancing down at the rabbit in my arms. I didn't want it to get cold again, but we couldn't stay here forever.

Carlisle's voice joined hers, calm and measured. "Esme's right. Rabbits are fragile, and exposure to the cold could set back its recovery." He took a small step closer, his golden eyes steady on mine. "You've done so well to care for it so far. Staying here a little longer would be the safest option."

His words made sense, but there was something about the way they were both looking at me, so focused, so intent, that made my skin prickle. I shifted uncomfortably, clutching the rabbit closer to my chest. "I... I don't know," I murmured, my thoughts tangling as I tried to think through what they were saying.

Esme stepped forward slowly, her movements graceful and unthreatening. "You've done the hard part already," she said gently, her smile warm and encouraging. "Just a little longer here, and your rabbit will be strong enough to manage the cold. You don't want to risk undoing all your hard work, do you?"

The question settled heavily in my chest, and my grip on the rabbit tightened. I didn't want to make it worse; I didn't want it to suffer again after everything it had been through. My rabbit needed to be warm, safe, and strong. I looked down at its tiny, fragile body, feeling the warmth of its fur against my skin. "I don't want it to get cold," I whispered.

"Exactly," Carlisle said smoothly, his tone so gentle it was almost soothing. "Staying here just a little longer will ensure it stays warm and fed. We have everything it needs right here."

I nodded hesitantly, but something still felt strange. Their words were soft, their voices kind, but there was an urgency in the way they spoke that I didn't fully understand. My eyes flicked toward the door again, the thought of leaving pulling at me like a faint whisper. "I just don't want to stay too long," I said finally.

"You won't," Esme said quickly, her smile widening. "Just until the rain stops. Or until your rabbit is fully recovered. Then we can decide what's best."

Her words seemed reasonable, but something about how her eyes lingered on me, too warm and watchful, made my chest tighten. I glanced at Carlisle, whose expression remained calm and steady, but there was a flicker of something in his gaze, something I couldn't quite place.

"It's all for the rabbit," he said softly, almost like a promise. "We want to help you keep it safe. That's all."

I nodded again, unsure why their reassurances made me feel so heavy. Their logic was sound. My rabbit needed warmth, needed safety, and they could provide that. And yet, a part of me still wanted to leave, to take my rabbit and run back to the woods where the world made sense.

But then I looked down at the rabbit again, at its small, fragile body nestled against mine. It was still so delicate, so dependent on the warmth of this place. I couldn't risk it. Not yet.

"Okay," I whispered, lowering my head. "Just a little longer."

Carlisle and Esme exchanged a glance, something unspoken passing between them. When Esme reached out to touch my shoulder lightly, her smile was softer than ever, but there was something in her touch that made me shiver.

"Of course," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "Just a little longer."

1st December 2024
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